Bobby Godinez is entering his third season as an assistant coachwith the Gardner-Webb University football program, and his secondfull season at the team’s recruiting coordinator – arole in which he has excelled since taking over.
Godinez will coach the GWU tight ends in 2012, his first seasonon the offensive side of the ball with the ‘Dogs. Godinezefforts on the recruiting trails have helped Gardner-Webb land twooutstanding classes in a row, particulary the 2012 group.
Over the past two seasons, Gardner-Webb has signed 16student-athletes who earned All-State honors at some point duringtheir respective high school careers. Gardner-Webb will suit up 12players from Godinez’ native California in 2012 as well,including former FBS players Exavier Johnson (Utah State) and AaronHuck (Nevada).
Godinez coached the Gardner-Webb safeties in 2011, helping tutorGianni Olivas to a team-high interception total for the second yearin a row. Godinez coached the defensive line for Gardner-Webbduring his first season with the program in 2010, molding PrestonPemasa into the 2010 Big South Freshman of the Year and first-teamAll-Big South selection. Godinez also helped pour the foundationfor what is now one of the team’s strongest position groups,bringing along current veterans Maurice Dickson and Dylan Taylor– and working with 2010 redshirts Matt Goods and TylerHough-Jenkins.
Godinez joined the Runnin’ Bulldogs from Mt. San AntonioCollege in Walnut, Calif., where he was named co-defensivecoordinator and defensive backs coach in January 2010.
Godinez served as the defensive coordinator and defensive backscoach during the 2009 season at Pasadena City College, helping thesquad to a No. 2 ranking defensively within the Northern Conferenceagainst the pass.
He also helped coordinate the PCC special teams and coached apair of junior college All-America selections. He also served ashead coach at La Varne Lutheran (Calif.) High in 2008, leading theschool to a league title and a No. 8 ranking among California smallschools – and directed a squad that led the league inoffense, defense and special teams.
As a player, Godinez played safety at San Jose State under Hallof Famer Dick Tomey, earning Academic All-WAC honors twice andserving as a captain for the Spartans for two seasons.
He signed a free agent contract with the NFL’s WashingtonRedskins in 2006, then founded and operated Optimal Sports Strength& Conditioning in January, 2007 – training players fromthe NFL and Major League Baseball – including All-Star hurlerJared Weaver (Angels).
Godinez graduated from San Jose State with a B.A. in Sociologyand a M.A. in Kinesiology and Sports Management. He and his wife,Jennifer, welcomed their first daughter, Payton, in January,2011.
